Healthy and active aging exercise program for functional health and wellbeing among rural adults: Implementation and evaluation at primary care in Telangana.

Background: Population aging is a global phenomenon associated with challenges of physical and cognitive declines, reduced social interaction, and increased risk of mental health issues. Preventive measures to address potential health needs of aging population are essential to promote healthy aging. Physical exercise interventions designed with age-sensitive approach to enhance functional ability and quality of life are essential through community participatory approach. The study aimed evaluation of a multi-component age sensitive home-based physical exercise "Healthy and Active Aging Exercise Protocol (HAAEP)" intervention program on physical health, functional ability, and social interaction among middle-aged to old-aged adults.

Materials and methods: A randomized control trial was performed applying a 16-week HAAEP program to evaluate functional health (FH) including anthropometric measures and social interaction among 270 community-based adults aged 40-90 years from rural Sangareddy district, Telangana, India.

Results: The Intervention group (IG) and Control group (CG) exhibited differential progress over time, between the group analysis reported significant improvement in TUG (0.0018), 6MWT (0.0292), IPAQ -PA pattern, (0.0194) IPAQ-Sedentary behavior (0.04), BMI (0.0177), Fat percentage (0.0314), Muscle percentage (0.000), Bone and BMR (0.031). Group-based approach in community-friendly settings showed improvement in social interaction, DSSI (0.0120).

Conclusion: Age-sensitive HAAEP program on functional health with social wellbeing, have shown significant positive effect among adults of different age groups, and will be an effective holistic strategy for healthy and active aging.